The third round of the Algoa Motorsport Club Championship took place in perfect weather conditions at Aldo Scribante Raceway on Saturday, delivering a full day of exciting racing, but also a day full of incidents and accidents with many cars suffering damage and mechanical failure as competitors pushed hard for championship points in front of an enthusiastic crowd of motorsport fans.

From the opening practice sessions there was a noticeable intensity in the paddock, with drivers and riders knowing that the championship battle is beginning to heat up as the season approaches its midway point. While the warm and calm conditions allowed for quick lap times throughout the day, the demanding nature of the Aldo Scribante circuit once again proved unforgiving, testing both man and machine to the limit.

Juan “Bollie” van Rooyen put in a stunning performance for a first time out in his Suzuki Hayabusa powered Steads single-seater sports car to take three out of three race wins in the EP Modified Saloon class and looks set to be a serious contender for the rest of the season. Van Rooyen adapted quickly to the lightweight and extremely powerful machine, thrilling spectators with his aggressive driving style and lightning acceleration out of the corners.

The visiting Northern Regions Lotus Challenge series provided the usual close racing with lots of overtaking, wheel-to-wheel action and daring late braking manoeuvres with Rudi Barnard emerging as the overall winner, winning all three heats as well as setting a new lap record to scoop the driver of the day award. The nimble Lotus machines provided some of the most entertaining racing of the day, with barely a few car lengths separating the charging pack for much of the action.

Local motorcycle star Dylan Grobler took to the new one-make Suzuki GSX-8R Cup class like a duck to water, winning all three heats in dominant fashion while his team mate Ruan van Zyl continued his excellent season to win all three heats in the fiercely contested 600cc class. The motorcycle races proved hugely popular with spectators as riders battled elbow-to-elbow through the sweeping Scribante corners at breathtaking speeds.

The Wide Horizon Advanced Training Coastal Challenge saw Matthew Gudmanz out in his immaculately prepared V8 Chevrolet Firenza Can-Am winning all three heats and providing the appreciative spectators the opportunity to see one of the most iconic South African built race-cars in action. The thunderous sound of the roaring V8 engine echoed around the circuit and proved to be a crowd favourite throughout the day as the classic machinery transported fans back to the golden era of South African motorsport.

Although the Street & Fine Class was won by Justin Theron in his Nissan 350Z, it was the battle with Border Motorsport youngster Tyler Stephen in a VW Golf Mk1 that had the crowd on their feet cheering them on as they went head-to-head in the handicap races. The pair traded positions several times during an intense contest that showcased both Theron’s experience and Stephen’s raw pace and determination. Saturday also marked the 56th anniversary of the Stephen family’s involvement in motorsport, with Tyler’s grandfather Neil having competed in his first kart race on 17 May 1970 at the Pete Jurgens Kart Circuit in Pretoria.

Several races throughout the day were interrupted by red flags and safety interventions as drivers struggled with mechanical failures, spins and racing incidents, underlining just how competitive the various classes have become this season. Despite the setbacks, the atmosphere in the pits remained upbeat with teams working tirelessly to repair damaged machinery and get competitors back out onto the circuit wherever possible.

The Algoa Motorsport Club once again delivered a professionally run event that showcased the strength and diversity of motorsport talent in the Eastern Cape, while also attracting quality competitors from around the country. With championship points becoming increasingly important, the next round promises even more drama, close racing and high-speed excitement as competitors continue their pursuit of regional honours.

Class Results – Round 3 Algoa Motorsport Championship

EP Modified Saloons
· Class B: 1st Elan Buchman, 2nd Ian Riddle, 3rd Deon Neethling
· Class C: 1st Kelsey Davidson, 2nd Johan Nel, 3rd Jan Greef
· Class D: 1st Shaun Benn, 2nd Greg Forward, 3rd Tom Hugo
· Class E: 1st Henry Adams, 2nd Raymond Redinger, 3rd Steven Phillips
· Class F: 1st Riaan van Vuuren, 2nd Peter Schultz
· Class X: 1st Juan van Rooyen

Wide Horizon Advanced Training Coastal Challenge
· Class A: 1st Matthew Gudmanz
· Class C: 1st Rane Berry, 2nd Pikkie Marais
· Class D: 1st Anton Ehlers, 2nd Pat Fourie
· Class E: 1st Johan Marais

NR Lotus Challenge
· Class B: 1st Rudi Barnard, 2nd Gys van der Walt, 3rd Tinus Botes
· Class L: 1st Juan du Toit, 2nd Braam Muller, 3rd Wesley Maxwell
· Class X: 1st Alwyn Kretzmann, 2nd Patrick Hanley

Open Motorcycles
· 300cc: 1st Zander Taljaard, 2nd Brandon Willemse
· 600cc: 1st Ruan van Zyl, 2nd Clinton Fourie, 3rd Craig Benn
· Unlimited: 1st Yaghya Sahabodien, 2nd Martyn Parry, 3rd Kevin Collings
· Suzuki GSX-8R Cup: 1st Dylan Grobler, 2nd Humzah Vally, 3rd Kenneth Clarke

Street and Fine Cars (Overall Handicap)
· 1st Justin Theron, 2nd Peter Neilson, 3rd Kay-Lee O’Brien